Cambodia’s citizenship policy sparks abuse fears

Khem Sokha

Human Rights Watch has warned that Cambodia’s new rules allowing the government to strip nationals of their citizenship could be used to silence dissent and punish political opponents.

The alarm was raised after Prime Minister Hun Manet published a sub-decree on 22 January, outlining how citizenship may be revoked without the need for a criminal conviction. The move follows recent amendments to the Constitution and the Law on Nationality.

Bryony Lau, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, said the process “lacks even basic procedural standards called for under international law, such as administrative or judicial review, or the right to appeal a decision”. Instead, a government-led committee chaired by the interior minister will investigate and recommend cases, with revocation ultimately enacted by royal decree at the prime minister’s request.

The policy sets out four grounds for stripping citizenship: committing treason, colluding with foreign powers, undermining national sovereignty or security, or being convicted of crimes such as treason or insulting the king. Critics argue that these categories are broad and open to political manipulation.

Human Rights Watch points to past cases where opposition figures and activists have faced charges widely seen as politically motivated. Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy, leaders of the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, were both convicted of treason.

Environmental campaigners from Mother Nature Cambodia have also faced similar charges.

The organisation warns that the sub-decree could leave individuals stateless, a situation that runs counter to international norms on citizenship rights. It also notes that the committee is instructed to consider whether a person might obtain another nationality or protection from a foreign state, raising further questions about fairness and consistency.

“Governments should raise their concerns with the Cambodian authorities and stress that stripping individuals of their citizenship should never be used as a weapon against political opponents,” Lau urged.

The Cambodian government has yet to respond to the criticism, but the debate highlights growing unease over the balance between national security and civil liberties. For many observers, the policy represents a sharp departure from constitutional protections that once prohibited deprivation of citizenship, and it raises pressing questions about the future of political freedoms in the country.

-2026-01-26